Abstract: A hollow graphitic carbon (HGC) material was synthesized using resorcinol, phenol, and formaldehyde. The characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, and Raman spectroscopy showed that the highly graphitized HGC is a mesoporous material with an average pore size of 36 nm. Compared with the commercial Vulcan XC-72R carbon, HGC has more mesopore volume and higher graphitic character. The 45%PtSn/C electrocatalysts were prepared using HGC and XC-72R as supports and characterized by X-ray diffraction and TEM. These two kinds of electrocatalysts have similar particle size and lattice parameter. The single cell test of DEFCs (direct alcohol fuel cells) showed that the peak power density is increased from 54 mW/cm2 of PtSn/XC-72R to 62 mW/cm2 of PtSn/HGC.

Key words: electrocatalyst, hollow graphitic carbon, direct ethanol fuel cell, carbon support